Information Session. Proposed New Enterprise Agreement

Transcription

1 Information Session Proposed New Enterprise Agreement for Support and Operational Staff employed in Christian Brothers and Edmund Rice Education Australia Schools (EREA) in NSW (also known as List C Schools )

2 Information about the proposed Enterprise Agreement Your School, the Independent Education Union and other bargaining representatives have been working together to develop a proposed enterprise agreement to cover support and operational staff: Support and Operational Staff (NSW Catholic Schools - List C) Multi-Enterprise Agreement The proposed enterprise agreement is unique as it consolidates 3 existing EAs/awards into a single agreement. It has the support and endorsement of your School and the IEU. 2

3 Who does the proposed Agreement apply to? The proposed enterprise agreement applies to support and operational staff working in schools conducted by the Christian Brothers and Edmund Rice Education Australia in NSW ( List C Schools ). The proposed enterprise agreement consolidates 3 existing EAs/Awards into a single EA. It will cover employees currently employed under the following industrial instruments: -School Support Staff (Catholic Independent Schools) Enterprise Agreement Maintenance and Outdoor Staff (Catholic Independent Schools) Enterprise Agreement Miscellaneous Workers Independent Schools and Colleges & C. (State) 2B Award 3

4 Why do we need an Enterprise Agreement? Your existing enterprise agreements/awards do not provide for salary increases beyond Your School and IEU believe it is important to provide certainty in the salary/ working conditions for support and operational staff for 2012 and beyond. A single enterprise agreement for support and operational staff is easier to administer and provides fairer outcomes across all groups of employees. 4

5 What is included in the proposed enterprise agreement? A plain English summary of the proposed enterprise agreement has been provided to you. A copy will also be available in the staffroom In brief, the proposed enterprise agreement makes the following changes: - It improves salaries and allowances for all support and operational staff - It introduces common general conditions of employment across all support and operational staff (resulting in significant improvements for cleaners, caretakers and bus drivers currently employed under the Miscellaneous Workers Independent Schools & Colleges & c (State) 2B Award); and - It updates some provisions to reflect legislative changes and/or agreements reached between your School and the IEU. Apart from these changes, your existing employment conditions are largely preserved. 5

6 Increases to Salaries Under the proposed enterprise agreement staff will receive: A 3.5 % salary increase back dated to the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2012 (this increase is inclusive of, and not in addition to any increases paid since 1 July 2012). A 3.5% increase backdated to the first full pay period on or after 25 January 2013; A 3.5% increase from the first full pay period on or after 25 January 2014.

7 Increases to Allowances Wage based allowances will be adjusted by 3.5% back dated to the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2012, 3.5% back dated to the first full pay period on or after 25 January 2013 and a further 3.5% effective from the first full pay period on or after 25 January Some expense based allowances will be increased to reflect movements in the CPI or aligned to the Modern Award. Common vehicle/ meal/ first aid allowances will be introduced for all support and operational staff, derived from rates in the existing support staff enterprise agreement. As these rates are higher than rates in the existing Maintenance and Outdoor Staff Enterprise Agreement and Miscellaneous Workers Award. The value of the meal allowance has also increased for all staff. General operational staff will now be eligible for a higher leading hand allowance derived from existing rates in maintenance and outdoor EA.

8 Common conditions for all Support and Operational Staff Sick leave, parental leave and long service leave entitlements will now be common for all support and operational staff. This will result in significant improvements for cleaners, bus drivers and caretakers currently employed under the Miscellaneous Workers (Independent Schools and Colleges & c) (State) Award. If the proposed enterprise agreement is approved, these employees will now access paid maternity/ adoption/ paternity leave, increase in sick leave benefits, and improved LSL accruals.

9 New & Updated Clauses A Professional Development clause has been inserted which confirms that your employer must provide you with at least 7 days notice of any requirement to attend professional development to a maximum of 10 hours per year. If this falls outside your usual hours, you will be eligible to take time in lieu at a mutually convenient time. The superannuation clause has been substantially updated to reflect changes in superannuation legislation. New annexures setting out conditions for those on a supported wage, or who are participating in a traineeship or apprenticeship have also been included.

10 Access to the proposed Enterprise Agreement Hard copies of the proposed enterprise agreement are available in the staff room Soft copies of the proposed enterprise agreement have been ed to you or you may request your own printed copy of the EA by contacting the Principal or their nominated person

11 The vote The vote will be conducted by the College. The College will supply each employee with a ballot paper on Monday 22 July 2013 Voting will commence at 8.30am on Monday 22 July 2013 The ballot will close at 3pm on Tuesday 23 July 2013 Votes received after the closing date will not be counted. Each employee, including casuals working during the week of, and the week prior to, voting have the right to vote. A FAQ on the vote and ballot has been provided to you, along with the Agreement summary.

12 How does the proposed Enterprise Agreement get approved? After the ballot closes, representatives of the employer and the IEU will count the votes and as soon as practicable after a result is known, you will be advised of the outcome of the ballot. If a majority of the valid votes cast for the proposed enterprise agreement at relevant schools are in favour of the agreement, the enterprise agreement will be lodged with the Fair Work Commission for approval The Fair Work Commission will then assess the enterprise agreement to ensure it complies with the law, and passes the Better Off Overall Test (BOOT) If the Fair Work Commission approves the enterprise agreement, it will commence 7 days after that approval and the increased salaries will commence and be back dated to the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2012 and 25 January 2013.

13 Key Messages It is important that support and operational staff have their conditions of employment for the period formalised into an enterprise agreement The proposed enterprise agreement has the endorsement of your School and the IEU and both encourage you to vote YES The proposed enterprise agreement secures 3 x 3.5% salary increases over the period , standardises general conditions across support and operational staff and includes other updates agreed to by your School. The proposed enterprise agreement has a nominal expiry date of 31 December It is important to cast a vote and vote YES in favour of the proposed enterprise agreement to ensure the increased salary and allowances will be paid to you Please cast your vote ASAP and before 3pm on Tuesday 23 July 2013.

14 Questions If you have any questions or queries regarding the proposed enterprise agreement or the vote please your Principal or their nominated person